What is the UCAT?
The UCAT (University Clinical Aptitude Test) is an aptitude test used by universities in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand as part of the admissions process for medical and dental schools. It is a computerised test that’s split into four subtests – verbal reasoning, decision-making, quantitative reasoning and situational judgment – and takes just under two hours to complete.
The UCAT doesn’t assess what you’ve studied in school, instead it’s all about thinking fast, solving problems, and making decisions under (time) pressure.
Why do I need to take the UCAT?
It’s required – Most medical and dental schools need your UCAT score to consider your application. Make sure to check each university’s individual entry requirements.
It tests key skills for future doctors and dentists – Skills such as logic, problem-solving, and decision-making—things doctors and dentists use every day.
It sets you apart – Everyone applying has great grades; the UCAT helps universities pick the best candidates.
No revision needed (well, kinda) - It’s not based on school subjects, but you’ll still need to do some solid UCAT preparation to smash it.
Need tips on how to ace the UCAT? Keep reading! Trust Us We Know Our Stuff!
UCAT Prep: How is the UCAT structured?
The test is divided into four subtests:
Verbal Reasoning: Assesses your ability to critically evaluate information presented in written form.
Decision Making: Tests your ability to make sound decisions and judgments using complex information.
Quantitative Reasoning: Evaluates your ability to solve numerical problems.
Situational Judgment: Measures your capacity to understand real-world situations and identify appropriate behaviors.
UCAT prep: Initial assessment
Before diving into preparation, take an initial practice test to assess your baseline performance. This will help you identify strengths and weaknesses across the different subtests.
UCAT prep: Develop a study plan
Once you’ve tried some practice questions, you’ll have an idea of areas you need to work on. Create a study plan that splits your time between each subtest based on your initial assessment, and dedicate more time to areas where you need to improve. A typical study plan might include:
Daily practice: Allocate 1-2 hours for practice questions.
Weekly mock exams: Take full-length mock exams under timed conditions to simulate the real test environment.
Find our recommended UCAT preparation breakdown here.
UCAT prep: Use FREE practice resources
Use these FREE practice resources to enhance your UCAT preparation and boost your score:
Q Bank: Access 500 free UCAT practice questions and a full mock exam that mirrors the subtests, question types, and timings of the live test. This will help you get familiar with the format and types of questions you’ll encounter. Try 500 FREE UCAT Questions.
Free prep events: Attend a range of FREE events designed to help with your UCAT preparation.
FAQs: Across our website, we've answered common UCAT prep questions you need to know the answers to! Review these to deepen your understanding of the test.
UCAT prep: Attend workshops and courses
Alongside participating in free workshops, once you’re ready, consider enrolling in one the tiered UCAT training courses taught by Dr. Bakhtar.
These sessions offer valuable insights, test-taking strategies, and personalised feedback to enhance your UCAT preparation and guarantee those high scores.
UCAT prep: Practice, practice, practice, regularly!
Consistent practice is key to success. Use timed practice questions to improve your speed and accuracy. Keep track of your performance to monitor progress and identify areas for further improvement.
Get all the UCAT prep practice information you need here.
UCAT prep: Review and refine
After completing practice questions and mock exams, review your answers to understand mistakes and learn from them. Focus on refining your test-taking strategies and addressing any weak areas.
And, most importantly, stay healthy and positive
Is 20 days enough for UCAT?
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and a positive mindset when preparing for the UCAT is essential! Make sure you get enough sleep, eat well, and take breaks to avoid burnout.
Preparing for the UCAT requires dedication, practice, and effective study strategies. By following this step-by-step guide and making use of practice resources, you'll be well on your way to achieving a high score and securing a place in your dream medical or dental school!
Good luck and remember to stay focused and confident throughout your preparation journey!
How long does it take to prepare for the UCAT?
No candidate has ever achieved a 100% (3600) on the UCAT. Its unique format makes it intentionally difficult, so it’s quite challenging to answer every question correctly.
However, a few candidates have scored exceptionally high scores, typically between 3200 and 3500.
Is band 3 a bad score for situational judgement?
Scores for the Situational Judgement Test (SJT) part of the UCAT are expressed in one of four bands, with band 1 being the highest and band 4 the lowest.
The official UCAT website describes a band 3 score as follows: “Those in Band 3 demonstrated a modest level of performance, with appropriate judgement shown for some questions and substantial differences from ideal responses for others.”
While this doesn't mean band 3 is a ‘bad’ score, it’s worth noting that some universities now place emphasis on SJT scores and will reject applicants with a band 4 SJT score. You’ll want to spend time on this section to try and score in the top two bands.